A census is a statistical count of the population of a country taken for the purpose of accurate government representation, tax collection and military purposes. The first complete census in England was conducted in 1086 under William the Conqueror who was the first Norman King of England. As the new king, he wanted an accounting of land owners who held lands belonging to the crown along with the number of owned livestock. A detailed history of this survey is available online from [http://www.history-magazine.com/domesday.html ''History Magazine'']&nbsp;which was published in October/Nover 2001.

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A census is a statistical count of the population of a country taken for the purpose of accurate government representation, tax collection and military purposes. The first complete census in England was conducted in 1086 under William the Conqueror who was the first Norman King of England. As the new king, he wanted an accounting of land owners who held lands belonging to the crown along with the number of owned livestock. A detailed history of this survey is available online from [http://www.history-magazine.com/domesday.html ''History Magazine'']&nbsp;which was published in October/November 2001.

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In England, the&nbsp;government census&nbsp;have taken&nbsp;place&nbsp;ever ten years since&nbsp;1801, however, these earlier censuses were taken&nbsp;strickly for statistical purposes by the Overseers of the Poor and the clergy.

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In England, the&nbsp;government census&nbsp;have taken&nbsp;place&nbsp;every ten years since&nbsp;1801, however, these earlier censuses were taken&nbsp;strickly for statistical purposes by the Overseers of the Poor and the clergy.

The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841 with the census traditionally being taken every ten years since then except for 1941 (due to WW II) along with the fact that the 1931 census was destroyed during WW II. Census records are generally released 100 years after they are taken. Because of this situation with&nbsp;1931 and 1941 census records there will be&nbsp;a thirthy year gap.&nbsp;&nbsp;These records are one of the best ways to locate ancestors at a given place and time.

The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841 with the census traditionally being taken every ten years since then except for 1941 (due to WW II) along with the fact that the 1931 census was destroyed during WW II. Census records are generally released 100 years after they are taken. Because of this situation with&nbsp;1931 and 1941 census records there will be&nbsp;a thirthy year gap.&nbsp;&nbsp;These records are one of the best ways to locate ancestors at a given place and time.

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== Understanding the Census ==

== Understanding the Census ==

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[[Image:Brompton5.jpg|thumb|right|259x327px]]

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[[Image:Brompton5.jpg|thumb|right|259x327px|Brompton5.jpg]]

Instructions to the census taker were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home were listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed under their employer’s business address rather than with their families. Guy Etchells has assembled a collection of [http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~framland/census/directions.htm the official instructions given to enumerators for each census].

Instructions to the census taker were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home were listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed under their employer’s business address rather than with their families. Guy Etchells has assembled a collection of [http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~framland/census/directions.htm the official instructions given to enumerators for each census].

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Be aware of the date of each census for family members as that will help in determining the birth year for family members as it is reported. The date that each census was taken is as follows:

Be aware of the date of each census for family members as that will help in determining the birth year for family members as it is reported. The date that each census was taken is as follows:

There are only a few name lists created on the parish level for the census years 1801, 1811, 1821, 1831. The few surviving pre-1841 censuses generally contain only names of the head-of-household. Consult an archive in your county to determine what may be available or information on pre-1841 census records can be found in:

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*The University of Essex, Department of History,&nbsp;has&nbsp;published an easy to follow PDF file in 2004 entitled "[http://www.essex.ac.uk/history/Staff_Research/working-papers/MW-RW-BM.pdf Census schedules and Listings, 1801-1831: an introduction and guide]" by Richard Wall, Matthew Woollard and Beatrice Moring which is now available <u>online</u>. This guide includes a parish by parish annotated list of all known surviving 1801-1831 census listings, including '''all''' those listed in the following work by Chapman.

The 1831 census was collated by the census office and the resulting Parish Register Abstracts form an important part of the published census material, because from it alone, the clergymen's manuscript returns have survived. The records are held at [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp?source=ddmenu_search3&j=1 The National Archives of the UK] under 'Clergymen's returns of 1831' (HO71/1-HO71/124.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

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There is statistical data available for every parish in the pre-1841 censuses. Consult [[Online Historical Population Reports]] article for further details.

==== 1841 ====

==== 1841 ====

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Only individuals in the home on the census night were listed on the forms with the exception of individuals working through the evening and returning home in the morning. If a family member was visiting they would be listed in that person's home. Note: Individuals who were staying in other locations were listed by the owner of the establishment and this included those who were living in tents.

Only individuals in the home on the census night were listed on the forms with the exception of individuals working through the evening and returning home in the morning. If a family member was visiting they would be listed in that person's home. Note: Individuals who were staying in other locations were listed by the owner of the establishment and this included those who were living in tents.

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There are missing sections which have been lost. A detailed listing can be found on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/census/index.jsp#issues findmypast.com].

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There are missing sections which have been lost. A detailed listing can be found on [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/census/index.jsp#issues FindMyPast].

This census was conducted by the Registrar General and has the identifying marks of "HO" which stands for 'Home Office'. The returns were sorted and copied into enumerator's books in the format seen today in the digitized online records.

This census was conducted by the Registrar General and has the identifying marks of "HO" which stands for 'Home Office'. The returns were sorted and copied into enumerator's books in the format seen today in the digitized online records.

*1851: An additional census was taken of places of worship, this was a voluntary census and most places of Worship participated. This&nbsp;guide from The National Archives provides a better understand&nbsp;of the Ecclesiastical Census of 1851. [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/methdism/rc1851/index.htm Further information on this census is provided by F. Coakley].

*1851: An additional census was taken of places of worship, this was a voluntary census and most places of Worship participated. This&nbsp;guide from The National Archives provides a better understand&nbsp;of the Ecclesiastical Census of 1851. [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/methdism/rc1851/index.htm Further information on this census is provided by F. Coakley].

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A&nbsp;detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841 can be found on the G

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A&nbsp;detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841 can be found on the GENUKI website&nbsp;in the [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html Census&nbsp;section]. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE:&nbsp;Some of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/census/index.jsp#issues Findmypast.com ]also provides a comprehensive overview which is also very helpful.

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The census can also provide a good approximation of date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with church records and civil registration records in locating ancestors.

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GENUKI website&nbsp;in the [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html Census&nbsp;section]. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE:&nbsp;Some of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. [http://www.findmypast.co.uk/helpadvice/knowledge-base/census/index.jsp#issues Findmypast.com ]also provides a comprehensive overview which is also very helpful.

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'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''

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The census can also provide a good approximation of date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with church records and civil registration records in locating ancestors.<br>

*The 1911 Census was the first census where original forms were kept. Handwriting is that of ancestor.

*The 1911 Census was the first census where original forms were kept. Handwriting is that of ancestor.

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==== Pre-1841 Census ====

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'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:'''

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The 1831 census was collated by the census office and the resulting Parish Register Abstracts form an important part of the published census material, because from it alone, the clergymen's manusript returns have survived. The records are held at [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp?source=ddmenu_search3&j=1 The National Archives of the UK] under 'Clergymen's returns of 1831' (HO71/1-HO71/124.)&nbsp;&nbsp;Detailed information on pre-1841 census records can be found in:

Pre-1841 censuses generally contain only numbers of individuals in a household, but some do contain individual names of the head-of-household.

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There is statistical data available for every census year from 1801 to 1931 on [[Histpop]] - the [[Online Historical Population Reports]] (OHPR) website. The statistical data records the number of houses, families, people, and other statistical data for every parish in England. It allows one to see the growth of parishes and regions from census year to census year.

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{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description}}

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== Finding and Using Census Indexes ==

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== Finding and Using Census Indexes ==

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[[Image:Osmotherley1.jpg|right|200px|Osmotherley1.jpg]] Many repositories, including the Family History Library, hold a number of indexes to the census records. They may be:

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[[Image:Osmotherley1.jpg|right|300px]]Many repositories, including the Family History Library, hold a number of indexes to the census records. They may be:<br>• Original Census records from 1841-1891<br>• Surname Indexes<br>• Street Indexes<br>• Some remnants of 1801-1831 censuses that include names

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*Original Census records from 1841-1891

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*Surname Indexes

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*Street Indexes

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*Some remnants of 1801-1831 censuses that include names

==== Online ====

==== Online ====

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Several websites have now published online many of the census indexes and&nbsp;records from 1841-1901.&nbsp; There is only one site that provides access to the 1911 census on the internet at the present time. The sites are as follows:<br><br>[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1&region=EUROPE www.familysearch.org] - 1881 census free<br>[http://www.ancestry.co.uk/home/lo/index?version=c www.ancestry.co.uk]<br>[http://www.origins.net www.origins.net]<br>[http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk<br>][http://www.genuki.org.uk www.genuki.org.uk]&nbsp;– links to indexes<br>[http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk www.thegenealogist.co.uk]

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Several websites have now published online many of the census indexes and records from 1841-1911. The sites are as follows:

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For the 1911 census: [http://www.findmypast.co.uk www.findmypast.co.uk]

Learn more effective search features in FamilySearch&nbsp;see [http://britishheritage4um.blogspot.com/2011/08/ten-powerful-search-features-in.html '''''Ten Powerful Search Features in the FamilySearch.org Search Engine''''']<ref>fckLRfckLRfckLRFor more details about each website, see [[England Census Records and Indexes Online|England Census Records and Indexes Online]] fckLRfckLR{{England_Census_Surname_County_Links}}</ref>

A number of items need to be considered while searching census records for family members:

A number of items need to be considered while searching census records for family members:

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Census details changed little from year to year.&nbsp; See a&nbsp;[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hitch/gendocs/census.html detailed listing]&nbsp;of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At the&nbsp;[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html GENUKI]&nbsp;website you will find an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census -&nbsp;[[1841 British Census Example|1841]], 1851,&nbsp;[[1861 British Census Example|1861]], 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census.<br>&nbsp;{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description}}

Census details changed little from year to year.&nbsp; See a&nbsp;[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hitch/gendocs/census.html detailed listing]&nbsp;of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At the&nbsp;[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Census.html GENUKI]&nbsp;website you will find an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census -&nbsp;[[1841 British Census Example|1841]], 1851,&nbsp;[[1861 British Census Example|1861]], 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census.<br>&nbsp;{{further|England Census: Further Information and Description}}

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A [[Media:British_Census_Form.pdf|worksheet]] can be used to record information found in census records.<br>{{Place|England}}

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A [[Media:British_Census_Form.pdf|worksheet]] can be used to record information found in census records.

A census is a statistical count of the population of a country taken for the purpose of accurate government representation, tax collection and military purposes. The first complete census in England was conducted in 1086 under William the Conqueror who was the first Norman King of England. As the new king, he wanted an accounting of land owners who held lands belonging to the crown along with the number of owned livestock. A detailed history of this survey is available online from History Magazine which was published in October/November 2001.

In England, the government census have taken place every ten years since 1801, however, these earlier censuses were taken strickly for statistical purposes by the Overseers of the Poor and the clergy.

The first census listing people by name was taken in 1841 with the census traditionally being taken every ten years since then except for 1941 (due to WW II) along with the fact that the 1931 census was destroyed during WW II. Census records are generally released 100 years after they are taken. Because of this situation with 1931 and 1941 census records there will be a thirthy year gap. These records are one of the best ways to locate ancestors at a given place and time.

Although the 1841 census is of great value, it had some limitations. It was originally produced on blue paper and inscribed with pencil. Many of the original images on film were very poor but the digital quality has improved them. In the 1841 census, relationships were not given, the age of individuals older than 15 years was rounded down, and specific birthplaces were not provided. The 1851 census and subsequent censuses provide more detailed information, making it easier to find family members.

The percentages shown in the chart to the right are the percentage of increase in population since the previous census year.

Understanding the Census

Brompton5.jpg

Instructions to the census taker were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home were listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed under their employer’s business address rather than with their families. Guy Etchells has assembled a collection of the official instructions given to enumerators for each census.

Be aware of the date of each census for family members as that will help in determining the birth year for family members as it is reported. The date that each census was taken is as follows:

1841 – June 6

1881 – April 3

1851 – March 30

1891 – April 5

1861 – April 7

1901 – March 31

1871 – April 2

1911 – April 2

The following information can be found in the censuses:

Pre-1841 Census

There are only a few name lists created on the parish level for the census years 1801, 1811, 1821, 1831. The few surviving pre-1841 censuses generally contain only names of the head-of-household. Consult an archive in your county to determine what may be available or information on pre-1841 census records can be found in:

The University of Essex, Department of History, has published an easy to follow PDF file in 2004 entitled "Census schedules and Listings, 1801-1831: an introduction and guide" by Richard Wall, Matthew Woollard and Beatrice Moring which is now available online. This guide includes a parish by parish annotated list of all known surviving 1801-1831 census listings, including all those listed in the following work by Chapman.

The 1831 census was collated by the census office and the resulting Parish Register Abstracts form an important part of the published census material, because from it alone, the clergymen's manuscript returns have survived. The records are held at The National Archives of the UK under 'Clergymen's returns of 1831' (HO71/1-HO71/124.)

1841

Age (for adults 15 and up, the age was rounded down to the lower multiple of 5)

Address

Occupation

Whether or not the individual was born in the county in which they were living on June 6, 1841. (If it is ‘yes’ , it is noted with “Y” and for ‘no’ it is noted with “N”.)

A column indicating if born out of the country, i.e. “S” for Scotland; “I” for Ireland

Only individuals in the home on the census night were listed on the forms with the exception of individuals working through the evening and returning home in the morning. If a family member was visiting they would be listed in that person's home. Note: Individuals who were staying in other locations were listed by the owner of the establishment and this included those who were living in tents.

There are missing sections which have been lost. A detailed listing can be found on FindMyPast.

This census was conducted by the Registrar General and has the identifying marks of "HO" which stands for 'Home Office'. The returns were sorted and copied into enumerator's books in the format seen today in the digitized online records.

A detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841 can be found on the GENUKI website in the Census section. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Some of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census. Findmypast.com also provides a comprehensive overview which is also very helpful.

The census can also provide a good approximation of date and place of deaths and marriages. Census records are used in combination with church records and civil registration records in locating ancestors.

Statistical Data Gathered from the Census

There is statistical data available for every census year from 1801 to 1931 on Histpop - the Online Historical Population Reports (OHPR) website. The statistical data records the number of houses, families, people, and other statistical data for every parish in England. It allows one to see the growth of parishes and regions from census year to census year.

Finding and Using Census Indexes

Many repositories, including the Family History Library, hold a number of indexes to the census records. They may be:

Original Census records from 1841-1891

Surname Indexes

Street Indexes

Some remnants of 1801-1831 censuses that include names

Online

Several websites have now published online many of the census indexes and records from 1841-1911. The sites are as follows:

Online Tutorials

Finding and Using Census Records

Census records are more easily available than ever before. Caution should be used when searching them for family members. Never assume what isn’t there or “leap” generations in linking individuals.

Important Searching Point

A number of items need to be considered while searching census records for family members:

Names may be misspelled – both Christian and surnames could have variant spellings.

Ages and birthplaces may not be accurate – consider who was reporting the information.

Relationships may not be expressed in terms understood today – regionally “in law” and “step” are terms that have different meanings.

Jurisdictions changed – as population grew and shifted, jurisdictions changed.

People may not be where they are expected – a disaster or plague may have forced a family to move.

Pages may be unreadable – use “zoom” and other enhancements on digital copiers.

Census details changed little from year to year. See a detailed listing of the changes made to the census over the years starting in 1841. At the GENUKI website you will find an excellent explanation of the census records and availability. (Examples of Census - 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871) NOTE: Many of the websites have not yet updated their pages to include the 1911 census.

A worksheet can be used to record information found in census records.

References

↑fckLRfckLRfckLRFor more details about each website, see England Census Records and Indexes Online fckLRfckLR==== Smaller Local Census Surname Indexes at the Family History Library ====
In addition to the nationwide census surname indexes, there are many smaller surname indexes, created by individuals and family history societies in England, that cover specific counties, districts or parishes. The following links will direct you to pages that show these smaller surname indexes for each county, and which are found in the Family History Library's collection.